NM0746 : Tiree - Soa (Eilean an Treogh) from Carsamull
taken 4 years ago, near to Ruaig, Tiree, Argyll And Bute, Scotland
The substantial tidal island of Soa lies off the coast of Tiree to the south of the settlement of Ruaig.
At low tide it is joined to mainland Tiree by a sand tombolo and numerous rocky outcrops. The largest of the rock platforms, Carsamull is itself a little island at high tide.
Soa is not populated and probably never was on a permanent basis, but a former building has been identified on the south-eastern limb (Eilean an Triogh) - see Canmore for details & photograph Link
There is also a track which runs along the northern coast of Soa.
Statistics: (Areas calculated based MHWS contour using Magic.defra)
Soa - Area 24.9ha (61.5 acres) - High point c.12m (40')
Carsamull - Area 2.1ha (5.2 acres) (only rises to a few metres/feet)
At low tide the area of rocky land separated from the mainland by sand and incorporating Soa, Carsamull and other rocky outcrops more than doubles to c. 58ha (143 acres)
See also Link
and another Canmore page:
Link
The island of Tiree lies in the Sea of the Hebrides to the west of the much larger island of Mull and close to its neighbouring island, Coll.
It is unlike any other major Scottish island in that it is almost flat, the majority of the island being no more than 20m above sea level. There are three hills on the western side which exceed 100m, viz Ben Hynish (141m, 462'), Beinn Hough (119m, 390' with subsidiary peak Cnoc an Fhithich 113m, 371') and Beinn Ceann Mhara (103m, 338')
From the top of Beinn Hough it is possible to see the entire island, which is only 10 miles (16km) long. Its width varies from 6¼ miles (10km) between Tràigh Chornaig in the north and Hynish in the south, to just ⅔ mile (1km) across the Vaul Golf Course between Kirkapol and Ruaig.
The island is fringed with magnificent bays and beaches with soft golden-white sands and turquoise waters. It is rather as though a small lump of Lincolnshire has been dropped in the Hebrides and then surrounded by Caribbean beaches! However, as there is no land between the west coast of the island and the continent of America, the full force of the Atlantic can batter this western coast. The result can be tremendous 'breakers' (big onshore waves) which are highly popular with surfers. Despite the permanently rather frigid sea temperatures, many people brave these waters to enjoy such activities.
The inner part of the island is given over almost entirely to farming, both arable and dairy, with Tiree cattle being sold at the small auction house near the airport.
The island's flag of a circle of golden wheat on a green background refers to this agricultural abundance.
Statistics:
Area: 7,834ha (19,358 acres, 30¼ miles²)
Population: 653 (2011 census)
Principal settlement: Scarinish (with about ¼ of the island's population)
Highest Point: Ben Hynish (141m, 462')